NDC Inaugurates National Campaign Council, Commissions New Secretariat Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has inaugurated its National Campaign Council, commissioned a new national secretariat and presented certificates to its candidates as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The activities, which took place on Tuesday, also included a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and a dinner at which candidates received their certificates.

The party’s National Chairman, alongside its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, participated in the events, which were described by the party’s leadership as a demonstration of its growing organisational structure and determination to contest elections at all levels.

Speaking at the events, the party’s leadership said the NDC was preparing to compete in the presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The chairman expressed gratitude to God, Obi, Kwankwaso, party candidates and aspirants, as well as members who had contributed to the development of the party since its formation.

He also acknowledged the contributions of state chairmen, members of the National Working Committee and NEC, saying their sacrifices and commitment had helped sustain the party despite its initial financial constraints.

According to him, the NDC faced considerable scepticism when it began, with many people doubting its prospects.

He invoked a quotation attributed to Mahatma Gandhi on the progression of struggles, saying the party had moved from being ignored and mocked to facing attacks but remained determined to achieve its objectives.

The chairman urged members and candidates not to be discouraged by opposition or criticism, calling on them to remain resilient and conduct issue-based, peaceful campaigns.

“We remain resolute in our determination to succeed,” he said, urging party members to avoid violence and focus their campaigns on issues affecting Nigerians.

2027 Polls As Referendum On APC Government

The NDC leadership said the 2027 general elections would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The chairman posed questions about whether Nigerians were better off today than they were in 2015, when the APC first took control of the Federal Government, or in 2023, when Tinubu assumed office.

He also questioned whether Nigerians were safer, placing the issues of living conditions and national security at the centre of the party’s proposed engagement with voters.

According to him, every election, particularly an attempt by an incumbent government to secure another term, provides an opportunity for citizens to evaluate its record.

He said the NDC intended to take these questions to Nigerians as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.

The party did not present the questions as a substitute for detailed policy proposals but as issues it intends to raise in its engagement with the electorate.

Party Seeks Transparency In Financing

The NDC chairman also highlighted what he described as the party’s commitment to accountability, transparency and institutional development.

He said one of the principal objectives behind the establishment of the party was to build an organisation that would endure beyond its present leaders and remain accountable to its members and the Nigerian people.

He thanked aspirants and candidates who purchased nomination forms and made financial contributions, describing their support as essential to the party’s growth.

The chairman said he did not receive personal earnings from the party, explaining that his role had been to provide guidance, promote transparency and help establish standards for its operations.

He disclosed that the NDC had publicly declared its revenue as part of efforts to demonstrate financial openness.

According to him, a formally audited account would be presented to the NEC, the public and relevant government institutions before the end of the year.

He said the party began without substantial financial resources and depended significantly on contributions from members, aspirants and candidates to sustain its activities.

The planned publication of audited accounts, he said, was intended to reinforce confidence in the party’s financial management and demonstrate its commitment to accountability.

Candidates Urged To Work With Party

The chairman also called on the NDC’s aspirants and candidates to work closely with the party rather than pursue their ambitions independently of its structures.

He stressed that candidates were contesting under the party’s platform and should therefore contribute to strengthening its organisation, policies and electoral machinery.

Using an analogy, he described the party as a horse that must be strengthened, nourished and trained to carry its riders to their destinations.

He said the success of individual candidates would depend partly on the collective strength of the party and the ability of its members to work together towards shared objectives.

The call comes as political parties prepare their structures and candidates for the next general elections, with internal coordination, campaign financing and grassroots mobilisation expected to feature prominently in the preparations.

NDC Calls On INEC To Ensure Credible Elections

The party also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant government agencies to take steps to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

The chairman urged electoral authorities to work towards free, fair and credible polls whose outcomes would command public confidence.

He said the credibility of an election should be measured not only by the declaration of winners but also by whether the process was sufficiently transparent and acceptable to those who lost.

The NDC leadership maintained that electoral authorities and other institutions involved in the process had a responsibility to ensure that voters could exercise their rights freely and that the results reflected the choices made at the ballot box.

The appeal comes as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, which are expected to generate renewed debate over governance, economic conditions, security and electoral integrity.

With the commissioning of its national secretariat, inauguration of its campaign council and presentation of certificates to its candidates, the NDC said it was consolidating its organisational structures ahead of the polls.

The party’s leadership reiterated its commitment to peaceful, issue-based campaigns and called on its members to support the development of an institution that would remain accountable to its membership and the wider Nigerian public.